Supporting Tourism
Tourism is a major driver of the economy in the North Highlands, not only directly but also because it is through tourism that most inward migration and much investment has taken place over the past 50 years.
Tourism also creates challenges and NHI works closely with the tourism industry, tourism and hospitality businesses, community tourism groups and Destination Management Organisations (DMOs). Together we focus on the development of sustainable tourism, collaborative marketing to help increase incomes and employment in the North Highlands and providing a strong voice for all stakeholders.
the north coast 500
The North Coast 500 was created by NHI in 2015 and has become widely regarded as the number one touring route in the world, offering visitors a coastal touring route that covers the best the Highlands has to offer in the 516-mile round trip. Visit the NC500 website at www.northcoast500.com
The North Coast 500 (NC500) came out of the Initiative’s work with the tourism sector in the North Highlands and, with the help of Wildlands and a number of other socially minded funders, it has become an undoubted success for many businesses across the region and provides incredible experiences for all those who travel along it.
However, its success has also accentuated the challenges with the North Highlands’ infrastructure and has added to the pressure on smaller communities. NHI continues to work with our partners and supports the Community Infrastructure Fund applied to help deliver related items such as information signs, waste bins, toilets and preferred or designated overnight camping for tents and motorhomes.
Looking Ahead
Most recently NHI has partnered with Scottish Community Tourism [SCOTO] to explore a fundamental new approach to tourism in the North Highlands, looking at new ways of building community led tourism. Two pilots have been selected in Thurso and Lochcarron to identify what each community wants and needs to build long term services that balance the needs of visitors and residents alike. You can read more about this here. We hope our NC500 partners will join us in supporting this change of approach.
